WDW Price Increase Thread

[UniversalRBLX]

Mission Space just got a bit of an upgrade about 5 years ago. Now eventually it needs to be replaced because no one rides it, but JII, Wonders, and even SSE need to be fixed first.

Oh absolutely agree

It’s just incredible that Epcots highest capacity attractions are all underutilized

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't mind that all that stuff gets short lines. I like it all and it's nice not to wait in line for any of those attractions....Mission Space, The Land, SSE, Nemo, Imagination, Crush, Mexican ride, all the theater shows, even Soarin before they brought the original film back. Really, there's only four or five attractions in the park that get long lines, and if you go at rope drop you can beat those lines too, except for the Virtual Line for Guardians.

 

[Nick]

I don't mind that all that stuff gets short lines. I like it all and it's nice not to wait in line for any of those attractions....Mission Space, The Land, SSE, Nemo, Imagination, Crush, Mexican ride, all the theater shows, even Soarin before they brought the original film back. Really, there's only four or five attractions in the park that get long lines, and if you go at rope drop you can beat those lines too, except for the Virtual Line for Guardians.

As a guest, no real long lines is great. I can’t imagine Disney loves it though because that means the attraction space could be put to much better use (and they aren’t selling as much Genie+ since it’s not needed).

 

[Mad Dog]

As a guest, no real long lines is great. I can’t imagine Disney loves it though because that means the attraction space could be put to much better use (and they aren’t selling as much Genie+ since it’s not needed).

Yes. Absolutely no reason to waste money on Genie + at Epcot. Go early, do a few headliners, and all the rest are mostly short lines for the majority of the day. I know lots of people were upset about Disney putting IP rides in the World Showcase. But with Frozen and the Rat there, they scoop up the masses.

 

[UNIrd]

Even Mission: Space was pulling 45min waits a few weeks back. When it's crowded, suddenly these usually no-wait rides come to good use. Now how to get them to appeal year-round when so many things were taken off the table for Epcot's.. you know.. epic transformation.

 

[Mad Dog]

Disney raised prices for WDW 2025 tickets today. Most days rose around $10, while some rose $5 to $15 a day for various 2025 daily dates.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

2026 WDW ticket prices have been released... and they went up more than expected surprisingly. I would have thought it would be a marginal 2-3% increase.

For example, DAK (which is expected to see Dinosaur close early next year) a 6% increase in February. An extra $10 for 1 less attraction at a park already devoid of experiences?

Price Breakdown (Only Through Oct 2026 at the moment)

Seems like July is continuing to slip attendance-wise as people avoid summer and into Jan/Feb.

Feb has become one of the most popular (and expensive) times to visit now. More popular than the summer months (understandably).

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

2026 WDW ticket prices have been released... and they went up more than expected surprisingly. I would have thought it would be a marginal 2-3% increase.

For example, DAK (which is expected to see Dinosaur close early next year) a 6% increase in February. An extra $10 for 1 less attraction at a park already devoid of experiences?

Price Breakdown (Only Through Oct 2026 at the moment)
View attachment 26115
Seems like July is continuing to slip attendance-wise as people avoid summer and into Jan/Feb.

Feb has become one of the most popular (and expensive) times to visit now. More popular than the summer months (understandably).

Thanks for posting this, as my family was just considering a WDW vacation next year (with 1 day at Epic of course )

$194 for Magic Kingdom is absolutely absurd. As you said, increasing the price of a ticket at Animal Kingdom with less attractions is nuts. $189 for AK?

Wow.

 

[Freak]

I know it’s Disney, but raising the prices when your competitor opened a massive new theme park when you have nothing to show for the new price increase is quite tone deaf.

 

[HandsomePete]

I know it’s Disney, but raising the prices when your competitor opened a massive new theme park when you have nothing to show for the new price increase is quite tone deaf.

That’s not how life works.

Just like the hotels, the rate card means basically nothing. It all gets yield managed through discounting on the back end.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

That’s not how life works.

Just like the hotels, the rate card means basically nothing. It all gets yield managed through discounting on the back end.

Problem is... how many people balk when they see that standard price first though?

I fully expect ticket price increases each year, but Disney continually increases rates way beyond inflation.

 

[vgp]

I know it’s Disney, but raising the prices when your competitor opened a massive new theme park when you have nothing to show for the new price increase is quite tone deaf.

From afar, my guess is their strategy is to basically raise prices on people who are going to WDW no matter what (they've very clearly been implementing a dynamic pricing system over the past 2-3 years), and then run insane promotions to draw back in the people who they've priced out.

 

[HandsomePete]

Problem is... how many people balk when they see that standard price first though?

I fully expect ticket price increases each year, but Disney continually increases rates way beyond inflation.

That’s my point about it getting yield managed on the back end - basically everyone technically balks at those prices. But one day tickets are less than 10% of attendance and skew hard toward MK. By their valuation metrics, MK is by far the best value of any of the Disney/Universal/Busch parks in Florida and it’s not close to a tipping point. So yes, the other three parks prices are a data point but kind of meaningless in the grand scheme of it all.

Also their largest expense is labor, which is (mostly) tied to the union contract increases that are quite similar on a percentage basis to those price increases.

But without dynamic pricing you have to throw out an absurd number and then work your way down. Take SeaWorld today - a one day ticket is $150. And 50% off.

 

[Mad Dog]

That’s my point about it getting yield managed on the back end - basically everyone technically balks at those prices. But one day tickets are less than 10% of attendance and skew hard toward MK. By their valuation metrics, MK is by far the best value of any of the Disney/Universal/Busch parks in Florida and it’s not close to a tipping point. So yes, the other three parks prices are a data point but kind of meaningless in the grand scheme of it all.

Also their largest expense is labor, which is (mostly) tied to the union contract increases that are quite similar on a percentage basis to those price increases.

But without dynamic pricing you have to throw out an absurd number and then work your way down. Take SeaWorld today - a one day ticket is $150. And 50% off.

Yes. One day tickets aren't a true indicator. Same at Universal that had almost two years of four days for the price of two. We generally stay at WDW for a week to 10 days when we go. The multi day tickets aren't really all that expensive once you get to 6 plus. For what you get in relation to other entertainment venues, they're good value. But even with WDW hotel discounts, Universal hotels are a significantly better value & price point to all categories of WDW hotels.

 

[UNIrd]

Unless the pricing scheme is used as a deterrent, there's been plenty of people daytripping UO for years. You see it in any Disney planning thread how they're spending a week in Disney and want to spend 1-day at Universal and what's the best way to make it happen.

I've also seen people have the perception that Universal is more expensive because of the reason. Now you still see it but with the day they're wanting to add is at Epic Universe.

 

[Mad Dog]

WDW must be expecting a 'really soft' summer, even softer than the past few. They've just announced a Florida resident huge discount ticket offer that is the best offer (inflation adjusted) in over two decades. Lots of hotel deals too, and dining plan lures. Bet there's more to come...............And, their quarterly report is due soon. Seeing very moderate to low lines all spring, I'm guessing it's not going to be pretty for WDW, aside from the extra money they're raking in from their various Premium Passes. Attendance for spring was probably very soft and summer is probably projecting even softer.....Good for touring though. Stand by lines are their best in the past year than they've been for a very long time.

 

[SeventyOne]

WDW must be expecting a 'really soft' summer, even softer than the past few. They've just announced a Florida resident huge discount ticket offer that is the best offer (inflation adjusted) in over two decades. Lots of hotel deals too, and dining plan lures. Bet there's more to come...............And, their quarterly report is due soon. Seeing very moderate to low lines all spring, I'm guessing it's not going to be pretty for WDW, aside from the extra money they're raking in from their various Premium Passes. Attendance for spring was probably very soft and summer is probably projecting even softer.....Good for touring though. Stand by lines are their best in the past year than they've been for a very long time.

Worst time to realize you finally found the ceiling, probably blew a little past it, is right before a major recession hits.

But water parks have been slow since COVID. A simple, somewhat-difficult-to-redeem promotion has Blizzard shutting down on weekends, both parks re-opening for Summer. Never underestimate the Mouse's ability to sucke...I mean entice guests into dropping whatever coin they have.

 

[Mad Dog]

Worst time to realize you finally found the ceiling, probably blew a little past it, is right before a major recession hits.

But water parks have been slow since COVID. A simple, somewhat-difficult-to-redeem promotion has Blizzard shutting down on weekends, both parks re-opening for Summer. Never underestimate the Mouse's ability to sucke...I mean entice guests into dropping whatever coin they have.

They probably thought a new night parade would work to entice tourists, and new shows at DHS. It worked for them in the past, but they've driven enough loyal people away (increased costs/cut in benefits/too much planning & phones needed) that it's not working anymore. They need to be concerned, but they're too arrogant to understand. If not for those Premium passes money, the bottom line would be getting a bit ugly. WDW really needs to freeze price increases (tickets/hotels/food and beverage) for a while, restore cut benefits & value, and make the tourist visit simpler/cut the masters degree required in planning & phone bs....They did do one good thing in the past year though, when they eliminated much of the disability fraud. That's really helped to relieve the long standby lines that had gotten out of control.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Worst time to realize you finally found the ceiling, probably blew a little past it, is right before a major recession hits.

But water parks have been slow since COVID. A simple, somewhat-difficult-to-redeem promotion has Blizzard shutting down on weekends, both parks re-opening for Summer. Never underestimate the Mouse's ability to sucke...I mean entice guests into dropping whatever coin they have.

Just putting out some numbers...

For the month of June, Volcano Bay is flat to previous year, but is down 16% in operating hours since 2018. Disney's Water Parks (combined) are down 21% since 2018.

It's odd since TEA in 2023 (if you believe them) reported flat attendance for VB since 2018, but a 54% decline in Volcano Bay.